American Hustle (Spoiler Free Review)

by Toh Yan Hong and Khandhan Nadarajan, Junior 1 Higgs, Class of 2015

“Everyone hustles to survive”. What do you get when you put together the brilliant direction of David O Russell and a 70’s crime romp based on a FBI ABSCAM operation? You get the critically acclaimed American Hustle. This fact-fiction mashup revolving around the late 1970-80 Abscam scandal, in which FBI agents and con artists joined forces to set up an elaborate sting operation on corrupt politicians, turned out to be an unbeatable combo. 

American Hustle is a story about a reckless and psychopathic FBI agent Richie DiMaso(Bradley Cooper), who forces a devious man Irving Rosenfield(Christian Bale) to join him in ensnaring corrupted politicians. Iving Rosenfield is an expert at conning desperate people out of their money with loans, and selling counterfeit paintings with his equally cunning yet alluring partner in crime, Sydney Prosser. DiMaso proceeds to shove the duo into a world of Jersey politicians and the mafia. Carmine Polito, the passionate and loving mayor of New Jersey, gets helplessly caught in between the con-artists. In the end, Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn Rosenfeld(Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one left pulling the strings that cause the entire operation to crash and burn.

Upon release, American Hustle received instant critical accolade with $119,194,898 made as of January 24, 2014. The movie also received rather admirable scores from review aggregated websites. The most prominent of those reviews are, a 93% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, 90/100 from Metacritic (indicating universal acclaim) and a score of 7.8/10 from IMDb. Aside from achieving high ratings, American Hustle has received 10 Academy Award nominations, including "Best Picture" and "Best Director", and became only the second film since 1981 to be nominated in all four of the acting categories. Ironically and remarkably enough, the first film was "Silver Linings Playbook", also directed by David O. Russell and also starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. American Hustle was also awarded three Golden Globe Awards and 10 BAFTA Awards. Time magazine's Richard Corliss aptly states that, "American Hustle is an urban eruption of flat-out fun — the sharpest, most exhilarating comedy in years. Anyone who says otherwise must be conning you.’

One of the main reasons that American Hustle is as good as it is, is the jaw dropping performances of the actors in the movie. Amy Adams (Sydney Prosser) plays an incredibly strong character in an almost all male cast, and was mesmerising in her intellectual ability to seduce and con while using her(surprisingly realistic) british accent. Bradley Cooper(Richie DiMaso) with his new killer perm adds another outstanding performance to his resume. The consistency he displays throughout his movie career is definitely one to be admired. Jeremy Renner(Carmine Polito) or as most know him, "Hawk-eye" from The Avengers, gave one of his best performances since the movie, The Hurt Locker. He takes on the role of a loveable New Jersey mayor who's always putting the priority of his people before himself. Last but certainly not least, there’s Jennifer Lawrence(Rosalyn Rosenfeld) who once again proves then you don’t need to be the most experienced actress, to be one of Hollywoods most praised. With high hair, fake tan and an obsession with her nail polish(which she says smells ‘perfume-y and rotten at the same time’), Rosalyn is a deranged and depressed yet vulnerable housewife. Lawrence simply kills the character at every scene she is in. Regardless of genre, it seems that there's nothing this actress cannot do.

In conclusion, David O Russell has yet again knocked it out of the ball park with American Hustle. With one of the best casts I’ve ever seen on the big screen, the actors and actresses work seamlessly together and exuded chemistry from the second they appeared on screen. You can’t see any indications of one trying to outdo the other and they all seem to respect the vision of David O Russell. American Hustle also excels in other areas, such as it's excellent soundtrack which features classic artists such as the Bee Gees and Elton John. The song choices are perfectly placed and make you feel like you are in the 70’s. The plot is highly unpredictable, as expected of a con film. However, just like any other film, American Hustle is by no means perfect. The movie can be somewhat confusing and hard to grasp for some people. If you are not a fan of the genre, you may very well find yourself on the edge of boredom.

Rating: 4.2/5

We Have Lift Off!

by Ryan Yoong Ka Jun, Form 5 Science 1, Class of 2014

Like how Superman has kryptonite and Spiderman has Dr. Octopus, how Jerry has Tom - or is it Tom has Jerry? - We have school. Thankfully though, we’re not thrown into the hustle and bustle of school, not right away. Like Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee, we have training first, to build up stamina and strength to conquer the baddies. Just that instead of an old and crinkly sifu, we have Launchpad. 

An annual event aimed at "launching" everyone into the new school year, Launchpad was coined to allow students to get into the groove of schooling life (which includes waking up early; something I haven't gotten used to just yet after about 11 years). But nonetheless, Launchpad has allowed students to become more comfortable with the idea of school and also given us the opportunity to learn about the places outside its four walls. 

Traditionally, Launchpad is spread over a span of three days which include, what I like to call, Discussion Day (Day 1), Visiting Day (Day 2) and Presentation Day (Doomsday a.k.a. Day 3). Day 1 had students getting to know one another in school and planning out their activities for the next. Day 2 then had everyone going out to their "Places of Interest" to gather as much information as possible and also have some fun along the way. Between the awkward interviews, excessive lunch breaks and aggressive note-taking, it is safe to say that every group, despite their choice of location, learnt a thing or two from this day.   

Photo Credit:  Syariz B. Amir Sharji 

Then comes the last day of the event; which was to some a huge sigh of relief, while to others, the dreaded sign of the academic year becoming more, well, academic. Students from all years (excluding the Freshman year who were also present to have a glimpse of what to expect in their near future) were to showcase their "Places of Interest" on the big stage to be observed, judged and graded by a panel of judges, teachers as well as the watchful eyes of the Cempakan community. With slightly over 4 hours and over 40 groups to cover, the conclusion of Launchpad 2014 kicked off in full throttle.

First on stage - or the chopping block, depending on how prepared you were, was the combined Sophomore year. With such a major change coming into effect so suddenly, the Launchpad program was a perfect way to allow everyone to mix around in a "fun" environment outside the classroom and as far away from the endless pile of homework as possible. While it was clear that restaurants and work-oriented locations became prime spots, some groups managed to go outside the box and visited places such as an ice-skating rink, a go-kart track and even a library of all places.

Photo Credit: Syariz B. Amir Sharji 

The next two hours or so were filled with informative presentations about many local places which featured insights into their daily routines, specialities and even a little on the business and economic aspect. All this was coupled with a video (often a humorous one) which showcased their location in the best light possible (except for the laser tag group, for obvious reasons). Running very quickly through a mental list in my head, I remember the presentations of a 3D animation studio (Junior 1/Form 4 winners) and a Google Locations company (Junior 2/Form 5 winners) stood out the most due to the fact that their idea strayed very far away from the norm. Also, notable mentions to the groups who visited a library (Form 4/Junior 1) and Delicious (Form 3/Sohpomore) for their humorous take on something not-so-humorous.

 Photo Credit: Syariz B. Amir Sharji 

Four hours in the hall wearing blazers doesn't seem so comfortable. Watching 42 videos is a bit much we must admit and it’s quite annoying to continuously be poked by prefects as soon as you start to doze off. But that's how Launchpad is. At least for now. Perhaps, the coming years will see a change in the Launchpad program, but that's all in the future. Presently, it remains a Cempaka-unique activity which certainly does a great job at making the school year that bit more fun.

The Many Facets of An African Nation

by Ruhaani Mahadeva, Junior 1 Higgs, Class of 2015

When I first heard that I was traveling to South Africa for my holidays, the first few things that came to my mind was ‘apartheid’ and ‘segregation’ because that was all I used to hear about the country. To be very honest, with those keywords in my mind, I wasn’t exactly jumping out of my seat. 

However, the minute we touched down in Cape Town, I was proven wrong. Never had I realized how remarkable it was until I actually stepped onto Cape Town soil. When we arrived at the airport, the attendants welcomed us with uttermost respect. One man thought we had come back from a holiday; apparently we looked like one of them! The friendliness and warmth of the first few locals we met already made us feel accepted and comfortable. We stayed right in the heart of the city, so it was quite convenient for us to do lots of sight-seeing. Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad trip after all.

Photo Credit : Ruhaani Mahadeva

On the first day, we decided to ride on a ‘Hop-On-Hop-Off’ bus to get a little tour of the magnificent city. When I saw how stunning the beaches looked, I couldn’t help but run out of the bus and sink my feet in warm sand and clear waters. The soft sand surrounding my feet and the soothing sound of crashing waves created an ethereal scene. The crashing waves were practically calling out to me and reeling me in; I couldn’t wait to go swimming. However, I learnt looks are deceiving because I felt as if I was dipping my feet into a bucket full of ice; it was unbelievably cold!  

Photo Credit : Ruhaani Mahadeva

If you’re really into wildlife, Africa is definitely the place to be. My family and I set off at 5 a.m in the morning and took a three hour drive to a safari. As early as it was, I couldn’t contain my excitement. The tour guide for the day took us out on a jeep to see the animals. I saw so many animals - lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, hyenas, wildebeests, I could go on forever! You wouldn’t believe it if I told you, but we took a drive to penguin island where I could be an inch apart with an adorable penguin! Though it was indeed a joyful experience, seeing these animals roaming around freely also made me realise how suffocated animals who are caged up in the zoo must feel.

Photo Credit : Ruhaani Mahadeva

On our way back to the apartment, my father almost crashed the car. I thought I was dreaming when I opened my eyes to a giant hippopotamus right in front of us, casually walking across the road. I saw a documentary about hippos and how they are the second most dangerous animals in the world! You could imagine how terrified I was. Luckily, it didn’t seem to care about us so we were safe. 

We decided to end our holiday in Cape Town by visiting one of the natural wonders of the world, Table Mountain. Its name is given to it because the mountain is flat at the top, just like an ordinary table. It was so high up that we had to take a cable car up, although some adventurous hikers made the brave decision to climb! The top of Table Mountain seemed like a whole different country altogether. The atmosphere was cold and misty; the clouds were passing through us as fast as lightning. I finally got to experience what clouds felt like and don’t worry, the answer is they feels like nothing!

Photo Credit : Ruhaani Mahadeva

On our final day in Cape Town, I was more than upset to leave this aesthetic country. It was funny how I’d started this trip so pessimistically but I had practically gone through a complete 180 degree turn by the end of it. I knew I was leaving with great memories and fun stories to tell, to change the minds of people who thought of South Africa the same as I once did.

Sherlock the BBC Series

by Amanda Lee Yue Ping, Junior 2 Cempaka, Class of 2014

Only recently have I discovered the great joy that is Sherlock, the BBC series. As the third season has just finished airing, you could say I’m a little new on the scene. There have been so many takes on the coat-wearing, pipe-smoking, violin virtuoso cum private detective, one wonders how this one will be any different. But of course, it is.

I think the BBC struck gold when they asked Benedict Cumberbatch to step into the shoes and black coat (with a upturned collar of course) of Sherlock Holmes. No one has played the role better. Since the first episode ‘A Study In Pink’ graced screens, Cumberbatch has then been known to play characters in the quirky but brilliant department.

“Dear God. What is it like in your funny little brains? It must be so boring." 

- Sherlock Holmes, A Study In Pink

With scathing remarks (Sherlock's forte) combined with his trademark arrogance and superiority complex, the role must be fun to play. The fast dialogue takes a little getting used to, but it keeps you on your toes as he is always a step or two ahead of the audience. He wins the who-plays-Sherlock-Holmes-better battle hands down, beating all the other 70-plus Sherlock actors on the list flat. Except perhaps Robert Downey Jr.

Though Sherlock is indubitably the show’s main character, it would only be half the show it is without his right-hand man, the good Dr. Watson. Over the past few years, we’ve seen almost as many Watsons as we’ve seen Sherlocks. Straying most from the path would be the Watson played by Lucy Liu in the television series Elementary. A girl Dr. Watson, seriously? They get points for trying to be creative, but the friendship and bromance between the two main characters in the BBC's Sherlock is one of the highlights of the series. In fact, in the second episode of the third and latest season, Watson’s wedding scene just tugs at your heartstrings - especially when it’s time for the best man’s speech. 

"Listen, what I said before, John, I meant it. I don't have friends; I've just got one" - Sherlock Holmes, The Hounds of Baskerville

Though Sherlock and Dr. Watson usually steal the show, the appearance of Irene Adler made the ‘Scandal In Belgravia’ episode one of my favourites. Come on, it‘s Irene Adler — the only adversary who Sherlock never completely bested in Doyle's original novels. While they didn’t take it that far in the BBC series, she definitely came close to besting him, and it is evident that Sherlock has some feelings for her — whether of the platonic or the romantic, Moffat and Gatiss make it hard to tell. Plus points to Irene, since she’s the opposite sex. It’s nice to see that Sherlock is also only human at times. 

“Brainy is the new sexy.” - Irene Adler, A Scandal in Belgravia

Besides the femme fatale, there were moments galore for a Benedict Cumberbatch fangirl in this episode. Case in point, the Holmes’ brothers tirade, when Sherlock, draped only in a towel, argued with his brother, Mycroft in Buckingham palace.

"We are in Buckingham Palace, the very heart of the British nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on!"

- Mycroft Holmes, A Scandal In Belgravia

Moffat and Gatiss definitely tease the viewers with the sultry Irene Adler, but Sherlock has another potential romantic interest in the series. Enter shy, odd, awkward Molly Hooper, the only prominent character who is not from the original novels. At first, Moffat and Gatiss only wrote her into the first episode, but the few minutes of her screen time were enough to make the fan base fall in love with her. With the hints of Sherlock warming to her in season two, it is no surprise that a ‘Sherlolly’ fan base has grown.

“You look sad. When you think he can’t see you. Are you okay? And don’t just say you are, because I know what that means, looking sad when you think no one can see you."

- Molly Hooper, The Reichenbach Fall

My second favourite episode is without a doubt ‘The Reichenbach Fall’, where the showdown between Sherlock and his his other less sexy but crazier adversary, James Moriarty appears after an entire season of buildup. With numerous nail-biting cases to solve in this episode and one of the most intense endings on the show ever (plus, the Sherlolly moment everyone been waiting for), this episode certainly has it all, minus an Irene Adler reprise. Though you know Sherlock never truly dies, his suicidal jump off the hospital roof will leave you wondering how he could have survived — if you’re not blinded by tears after his suicide ‘note’ and Watson’s brilliant, heart-wrenching acting.

Finally, after a two-year long wait — which I’m assured by my sister is sadly the norm waiting period for a season — Sherlock has returned! There was also a teaser aptly termed Many Happy Returns as shown below. 

So far, I’ve only got time to get through the first two episodes. Episode one will have Sherlolly lovers squealing like mad. Season three definitely amps it up a level. Fans will know the delectable hair-ruffle scene that I am referring to. Episode two will make your heart break a little inside. Besides that, you might be relieved to know that Watson’s pre-Sherlock-is-alive facial hair (more like facial monstrosity) will be gone about halfway through the episode. Watson also meets his match and ties the knot with Mrs. Mary Watson, quite a likable character in the show...so far.

The third and final episode of the season awaits, and my sister says that it’s quite a shocker. So, should I study for tomorrow’s physics quiz or watch Sherlock? It’s elementary, my dear Watson.

Welcome Back to School!

by Tai Kai Xin, Senior 1 Cempaka, Class of 2015 

Photo Credit: En Syariz Amir Sharji

As the new school year commences, we warmly welcome the youngest members of the secondary school, now donning the green striped blazers instead of the yellow pinafores we are accustomed to seeing them in, and begin settling ourselves in for yet another challenging year. But carefully hidden behind those smiles and eager looks, (I believe) are anxiety, fear and doubt. Let’s face it, it’s a whole new year and you’re anticipating a jam-packed one with more assignments when you could barely finish your work last year, more challenging tests when you could never pass an Additional Mathematics test last semester and now you’re a society president? Not only that, but your parents expect 9 A+’s on your report card this semester, a distinction in your next music exam and 2400 for your SATs? 

As a Cempakan, you’re probably among the busiest students in the country, keeping on the forefront of everything that’s going on. In times like these, you just want to escape from reality and wish you didn't have to participate in the entire line of activities your parents have chosen for you. However, is just focusing on your academics only really the way to go? Personally, I had to juggle between IB and SPM last semester, which meant going back and forth for classes, keeping up with everything that was going on in the 20 courses I was in, working to meet each of my teacher’s expectations and on top of that holding multiple leadership roles. Call it stress, call it peer pressure, call it having too many things to juggle, call it anything you want. Well, I say declutter your life. It is crucial to prioritise on the important things, manage your time well, and you’ll soon find that there’s always time for everything. If you find that you’re falling behind in your studies, your teachers are always there to pull you back on track. The best thing about a Cempakan education is the myriad of things open to be explored.

After you’ve figured out your academic plan for the year, find something you’re passionate about by involving yourself in as many activities as you can be it in school, or out of school. You will always be able to find something to do around campus and along the way, meet new friends, not only learning more about them but also more about yourself. If you can’t find anything you’re interested in within school, then start your own club, create a project, or organize a campaign! Don’t just read about inventions, be the inventor. Don’t just know about problems, find solutions to them. My point here is that the voice of the youth has never been more significant. If you’re thinking “Aiyaaa, those people who can do everything are overachievers.”, “I’m only a small fish in a big pond, what change can I even make?” or the common “No time to care…. exam year!”. You’re terribly mistaken. You are never too young to take a stand, propagate change and be involved in society.

Photo credit: En Syariz Amir Sharji

To the new freshman students, welcome to the secondary school. We are all equals no matter what age, and don’t be intimidated in any way by your seniors who you feel are more capable than you. School is a place where we learn from each other, to discover that we have no limits and to build memories we will treasure for a lifetime. If at all you find that you need to seek advice, the prefects are always ready to lend a helping hand as your older brothers and sisters. No house can win the First House Cup without their freshmen and no society is complete without their young talent.


Learning is not confined to the classroom. The only barriers you face are the ones you build for yourself. Challenge yourself to take your skills to a whole new level, explore something out of your comfort zone and look at things from different perspectives. Take a leap of faith and make the impossible, possible.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy

Mi exploración de España y Portugal

by Lai Li Chan, Junior 1 Higgs, Class of 2015

I thank the heavens that my hunger for travel has been satisfied temporarily this past school holidays. Entering the world of the Flamenco and Paella was always one of my dreams, and visiting the country that invaded my homeland was included with the tour so why not?

My flight was a total of 14 gruelling hours, not including the four hours in Dubai airport waiting for the transit flight - which was spent mostly in the duty free shopping area spraying everything I own with sample perfumes (Marc Jacob’s Daisy, to be exact).

Photo Credit : Lai Li Chan

The long flight hours was worth the beautiful Spanish view. The skies were absolutely clear of clouds and there were always maple trees nearby. The weather was refreshingly cold but not overly so - my idea of perfect weather. My tour group consisted of 15 teenagers who were mostly from Wesley Methodist School, most of them amateur photographers like myself and 25 adults.

Visiting Barcelona, Granada, Valencia, Madrid, and many more places in Spain, two things were quite apparent. The architecture combined with the perfect lighting from the merciful sun and the beautifully bald trees made the best location for a photo shoot. Every morning and evening, I took a picture of the sunrise and sunset colouring the sky (which you would know if you follow my instagram: @chaaanners). It was as though got a new box of paint and decided to try all the colours out. Also, everyone - and I mean everyone there was a football fan.

Photo Credit : Lai Li Chan

There were many contrasting cultural and religious sites. There was one in particular that I found the most interesting; a church, taken over by the Muslims and turned into a Mosque, then taken over by the Catholics and turned back into a Catholic church. Though it is still used as a church to this day, there are dozens of areas left with the designs and religious inscriptions of the previous Mosque. The whole building was filled with priceless artwork and jewels from top to bottom.

During meals, seatings arrangements according to families were made, but in the end, all the teenagers ended up in one table leaving the parents to eat at ease. This is how we got to know each other, finding out about mutual friends, and talking about PMR results, the debate between Nikon and Cannon, and of course the inevitable what-course-are-you-going-to-take-in-college question.

Photo Credit : Lai Li Chan

The traditional way of serving the food in Europe was firstly with rock hard bread, followed by vegetable soup and a starter, then the main course before ending with a palette cleansing desert. Though it seems like a lot of food was been consumed over the trip, do not be fooled. Every dish was served in such a small portion that by 11 o’clock, we found ourselves searching for hot water to make our own Maggi Hot Cups for supper. And yes, every single person on this trip brought Maggi along. 

Portugal was not much different from Spain, except for the food which was thankfully served in bigger portions as well as the local language which was less rough.

The place we visited in Portugal that I have the most recollection of was when we went to a local silversmith. We saw how watches, jewellery, armour, weapons, and other things were made. Being a typical girl, I wanted to buy every sword I saw, though ended up getting a pocket watch that I will cherish forever!

Photo Credit : Lai Li Chan

The shopping in Spain and Portugal is very deceiving. Everything looks very affordable to the unfamiliar eye. Thoughts would first be “Only 19 euros!”. After some time, the realisation of currency kicks in. “Oh, That’s near RM100. So expensive!”. Things we bought over the 13 day span included binge food, dozens of postcards, a range of clothing and football jerseys.

Photo Credit : Lai Li Chan

The award for best tour group goes to this one. When it was time to say goodbye, all of us parted ways with sad faces but not without exchanging cellphone numbers and taking a number of selfies. (Technology is a beautiful thing; the saying “I’ll never see you again” is now out of the question.)

Traveler's tourettes never goes away, and I hope to share more adventures with you soon.

***FLAWLESS

by Nadia Marissa, Junior 2 Cempaka, Class of 2014

Last year, Beyoncé Knowles (the amazing goddess walking amongst us mortals) decided to play Santa Claus and present us with a fully completed 14 song album accompanied by 17 music videos - with no prior announcement. Touting it as a “visual album”, Beyonce has done something completely unprecedented. She has bypassed all of the mundane marketing and single releases needed to properly advertise an album and instead, choosing to release her music in a way she sees fit. And we thought she couldn’t get any better.

The self-titled album is structured in such a way that it showcases everything Beyoncé wants the world to see her as - a person. She begins with a devastating ballad titled Pretty Hurts about the pressures society puts on girls to be deemed ‘beautiful’. Coming from someone as gorgeous as Beyoncé, it can come off as a little disbelieving. But there is something awe-inspiring about the way Beyoncé takes a trophy and destroys her award collection. In that moment, it seems that Beyoncé is rising above everything the music industry, the media and the critics. This entire album is wrought with the idea of facing one’s fears and insecurities, and winning. Whether these insecurities lies within her relationship with Jay-Z (Jealous, Mine) or herself (Haunted), she sings about them with a refreshing breath of honesty. 

Another track stylized as ***Flawless juxtaposes Pretty Hurts perfectly because it projects the belief that yes, I am perfect the way I am. With an unrelenting beat backed by a techno melody that would make Daft Punk proud, ***Flawless is a feminist anthem that screams its message and refuses to be left unheard. Sampling renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's TED Talk on feminism, Beyoncé brings feminism to the forefront by straight out defining it. In a society where even the word ‘feminist’ can cause misunderstanding and confusion, Beyoncé does not shrink back from that title. Instead, she embraces it with all of the confidence and grace she is known for. 

In the same vein, there are a number of tracks that celebrate her confidence and sexuality. Scratch that, there are a lot of tracks: Blow, Rocket and Drunk In Love are all examples. But Partition takes the cake. Sexy, sinful, scorching hot, - and anchored with a catchy Timbaland beat - Beyonce delivers her most eye-opening performance yet. Dropping Monica Lewinski and other such references, it reminds us of another facet of Beyoncé - that of the sex symbol. Living in a world where women are condemned for accepting their sexuality (and where sex is still a huge taboo), Beyoncé encourages women to be comfortable with their bodies and desires. 

Contrastingly, the album ends on a poignant note with two songs: one, recounting the death of her first child through a miscarriage; and the second, the birth and life of her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. Once again, Beyoncé is opening herself up to her audience revealing very personal feelings. These two gorgeous ballads, Heaven and Blue respectively mirror each other. Whilst Heaven deals with the trauma and loss of her child, Blue reflects on her happiness as her mother. Yet, they both carry the message of hope and love. It may sound cheesy but she has never shown a side quite as human as this one. After years of viewing and dissecting her confident alter ego SASHA FIERCE, it’s exhilarating to finally get to know Beyoncé. 

Beyoncé (the album) is an expertly crafted, emotionally charged confession from the woman herself. She has taken all of the anger and pain and sadness she may be feeling and turned it into something beautiful. Because above all, this album is about how she has come to terms with being happy with herself. Released at the end of a year of startlingly lacklustre pop performances (Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga), Beyoncé hammers it home with an album that no one is likely to forget in a long, long while. There’s no doubt about it, Beyoncé is quite literally, ***FLAWLESS. 

Album Rating: 9/10